Introduction
Silicone grease is also known as dielectric grease or plumbing grease. It is a water-proof grease that consists of silicone oil and a thickener. The most common silicone oil used is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the most common thickener used is amorphous fumed silica. Other thickeners in use are stearates or powdered polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). Silicone grease is also sometimes referred to as silicone paste. Silicone grease is used in industries, chemical laboratories, consumer products, electronics and scuba diving.
When to Use Silicone Grease
Silicone grease should be used in the lubrication between following materials:
- Between two plastics,
- Between two rubbers,
- Between Rubber and Plastic,
- Between Plastic and Metal,
- Between Rubber and Metal.
How to Use Silicone Grease
There should be some points to keep in mind while using silicone grease. Nowadays, most of the faucets contain cartridges. These cartridges should be removed to apply the grease. This will solve various problems such as fixtures, stiffness and rust if done regularly. Following are the steps to use silicone grease in plumbing:
- The water supply to that faucet should be turned off. You can find a switch under the counters or near the valves.
- If you are lubricating a sink with plumbing grease, its handles should be removed. Find their screws and unscrew them.
- Next step is to remove the nozzle.
- You also need to take off the shower valve (if there is one) along with the screws.
- The final step is the application of silicone grease on the rubber ring area and reassembling the removed parts. Though, there might be some changes in the process depending on what you are applying.
Selection Criteria of Silicone Grease in Plumbing
Few things should be considered while selecting the silicone grease for plumbing purposes in order to choose the correct product as per your needs. First point is to select the products of brands that cater to your specific needs. This is because some brands may add different compositions in their products and this can affect the performance of your application. Selection of correct denomination and composition types is another key factor while choosing the silicone grease as different viscosity levels are found in different denominations and this difference in the viscosity levels can affect the performance of products in different temperatures and situations.
Uses of Silicone Grease in Plumbing
Silicone grease is highly useful in plumbing as it is thicker and provides more benefits. It is of high-quality and acts as an alternative to WD-40 or Vaseline. Silicone grease is water-proofed just like Vaseline. It is used by plumbers in lubricating the plumbing parts as it is thick and more durable. Some of the benefits of using silicone grease are that it avoids rusting, creation of waste and squeaking. It consists of a stable formula of a high- temperature. Silicone grease can also defend the plumbing components. It is important to be cautious while using silicone grease with a plumbing fixture as it may lead to contamination of the water supply. Plumber grease is also utilized in making, moving and fixtures of O-rings, gaskets and cartridges, handles, swivel joints, toilets, showers and faucets. This is because plumber grease is safe for potable water.
Advantages of Silicone Grease in Plumbing
Some of the advantages of using silicone grease in plumbing are that it helps in the improvement of performance and enhancement of repairs’ quality and usage. Use of Silicone Grease also saves time and cost due to its longevity in comparison to other products available in the market.
Why Not to Use Any Substitute
If you ask, is there any substitute for silicone plumbing grease? Then the answer is no. It may look like products such as olive oil or WD-40 would work in cases of emergencies, but it is not recommendable to use these. These products are very thin and won’t stick in one place for a long time. It is essential to use proper silicone grease to avoid the reapplication.
Safety Issues to Remember While Using Silicone Grease for Plumbing
There are few potential hazards that should be kept in mind while using silicon grease for plumbing purposes to certify safety protocols that are followed in the application process. Skin Irritation is the most common hazard due to use of these types of products as it contains high contents of mineral oil. This can cause skin contact dermatitis. To prevent this, protective equipment such as gloves and long sleeves should be worn and avoid exposing direct skin for a long time. Moreover, professional standards should be mandatorily met while working with these products as it could lead to serious issues if not applied in a correct way or used with incompatible materials.
When Not to Use Silicone Grease in Plumbing
It should be kept in mind that silicone grease is not a safe option for copper pipes as they are joined using a sweating type-process. It is recommendable to use thread seal tape for the protection of the copper pipes. Silicone grease can be used for the preservation of rubber as it possesses quality to maintain softness of the material. Also, lithium grease should not be used as it will lead to degradation of the rubber in some time. Silicone grease should not be used in the lubrication between two metals. It does not work on painted or varnished surfaces due to its chemical resistance properties.
Take Away
This is the brief explanation about the importance and uses of silicone grease for plumbing purposes. We hope those tips will be effective for you. Please let us know through your valuable feedback and the suggestion in the drop box.